Some Apple Stores Will Let You Swap Your 3rd Gen iPad For The New 4th Gen Within 30 Days

Pick up a new iPad within the last 30 days? Ask Apple to swap it for the latest model.

While some companies churn out new smartphones and tablets every month, Apple has traditionally given us at least 12 months with our iOS devices before replacing them with newer models. So it was a big surprise to us all when it announced a new and improved fourth-generation iPad on Tuesday, just seven months after the third-generation iPad went on sale.

If you bought a “new” iPad within the last 30 days, however, don’t be too miffed your device is already obsolete — because you could be one of the lucky ones. If you take your device into an Apple Store, there’s a chance you’ll be able to swap it for a brand new, fourth-generation model free of charge.

Apple customers and even its staff have been confirming that certain retail stores in the United States and the United Kingdom — and possibly in other countries, too — are swapping the third-generation iPad for the fourth-generation iPad for customers who purchased their device within the last 30 days.

ZDNet reports that stores in Birmingham, Aberdeen, and Kingston in the U.K. have all confirmed they are aware of the deal, while CNET is reporting that certain stores in the U.S. are also aware.

Some stores, however, including Manchester and Cardiff in the U.K., hadn’t heard anything from Apple.

If you’re one of those customers who purchased a new iPad within the last 30 days, then, it’s worth popping into your local store to see whether you can get it swapped. But don’t forget the fourth-generation iPad doesn’t go on sale until November 2, so you won’t be able to get one until then.

The latest iPad features a faster A6X processor, a FaceTime HD camera capable of shooting 720p video, and Apple’s new Lightning connector.